Friday, July 14, 2017

“Beautiful Pain” shines light on autism acceptance

Last July 11, 2017, Solar Entertainment Corporation invited me to watch the
gala premiere of ‘Beautiful Pain’ at the SM Megamall Cinema 1 with the support
of the autism advocacy community. As the title says it’s a really beautiful
true story movie and I can relate with the movie since I have a autistic
relative. I strongly advise to watch this movie especially if you have
relatives or friends that have autism. Here you will learn to understand them
more.

The film ‘Beautiful Pain“ traces the emotional journey of a
family towards acceptance of their son’s autism and revolves around Danial, who
lives with his parents Alina and Razlan in an island resort in Malaysia, where
the early signs of his autism play out. The lead characters’ strained emotional
bond is balanced by the kindness of Alina who is accepting other son’s
diagnosis. But Alina is plagued by a misplaced sense of responsibility for
Danial’s autism, even ignoring her health in self- reproach. Through her
journey, she finds a supportive network of advocates in her college friend, her
sister, her friends, her specialists and even a stranger in a mall. The
reluctant Razlan struggles with his son’s condition, resulting in bursts of
anger and frustration. He eventually finds inspiration in the perspective of a
stranger, who sees what is amazing in his son, instead of what is missing. Over
the span of eight years, the film paints a portrait of awakening, patience and
hope.

Some of the scenes in the movie 'Beautiful Pain':

The film, which represented Malaysia at the 89th Academy
Awards and the 74“ Golden Globe Awards. is a deliberate, tender study of autism
and human nature. During the World Premieres Film Festival, where it bagged the
Special Festival Prize for its Universal Social Values and the Best Actress
award for June Lojong, "Beautiful Pain" (originally titled
"Redha") has since traveled the world, eventually being Malaysia's
official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards. Director Tunku Mona
Riza has been gratified by the response by the global autism community. ‘This
film has become a voice for them,” Mona told' journalists at the film‘s Oscar
screening earlier in the year. The filmmaker research on autism for more than
two years and worked with advocates at the National Autism Society of Malaysia. resulting in the instructional
simplicity in the handling of autism as an allied medical subject matter.

‘Redha' is a Malay word with no accurate English translation
(much like Tagalog's ‘utang na loob”) — ‘joyful surrender to God’s will' comes
close. ‘Filipinos find connections in ‘kurot-puso” stories,” Mona Magno-Veluz,
National President of the Autism Society Philippines- “The film will help many
out there understand what persons with autism go through. By sharing this film
with the mainstream Filipino audence - this synthesis of the experiences of
many families who live and love with autism regardless of color, religion or
social strata - ASP hopes to inspire acceptance. accommodation and appreciation
of persons with autism, towards a genuinely autism—inclusive Philippines.”
According to Magno- Veluz. 1 in 100 Filipinos are on the autism spectrum.

A partnership between the Autism Society Philippines,
Current Pictures Sdn. Bhd., Solar Pictures and SM Cinema, 'Beautifd Pain” will
be shown in cinemas in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM North EDSA on 19 ~
25 July 2017 - in commemoration of the Philippine National Disability
Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

The organizer is working out a discount scheme for students
and PWD’s, but more details on that as soon as they iron out the kinks.